Scotney to leave BHA

Paul Scotney will leave his role as director of integrity services, compliance and licensing at the British Horseracing Authority.

The move continues the restructuring which has taken place since chief executive Paul Bittar joined the organisation nearly a year ago.

Scotney will leave his position on December 14 but will remain part of the BHA's team fighting corruption, providing advice on investigations and strategy.

Adam Brickell, who is currently the BHA's head of legal and compliance, will be promoted and appointed director of legal, integrity and risk.

The decision for Scotney to leave was agreed mutually, according to Bittar.

"It is good news that in ensuring our commitment to integrity standards we will be able to call upon Paul's experience and expertise when needed," said Bittar.

"At the same time we can support Paul in branching out to work in other sports and sectors, which is something we recognise he is keen to do after nearly 10 years working exclusively in horseracing.

"Paul has put in place strong systems and built an excellent team. This is reflected in the fact we've got an internal candidate in Adam to promote and Paul leaves his full-time role with British racing far better equipped to deal with threats to the sport's integrity than it was on his arrival in 2003.

"A measure of the progress made under Paul was illustrated when an independent review carried out by Dame Elizabeth Neville in 2008 concluded that the BHA integrity department is 'a model for the effective investigation of corruption in sport'.

"One of my primary objectives has been to conduct a review of all aspects of the business to identify the most effective and efficient structure for the BHA given our broad role in the industry.

"However, this should be seen as a constant evolution of the business and the changes announced today are part of that - something Paul has contributed constructively to."

Scotney said: "I am sad to be leaving my full-time role but also excited at the prospect of working for clients outside of racing, while also retaining my links to the BHA.

"I am certainly proud of the progress that has been made during my time in racing."

Brickell, who joined the BHA permanently in 2010 said: "I am looking forward to working with racing's stakeholders and participants to ensure the high standards of integrity within British racing are maintained and improved.

"It is my priority to ensure that the BHA provides a contemporary, efficient, and customer-focused service to the industry and, while significant progress has been made, there is never any room for complacency in relation to threats to the integrity of sport."